Largest Shipment in Direct Relief History Arrives in the Philippines

Direct Relief’s largest-ever shipment of emergency medicines and medical supplies in its 65-year history arrived early Monday morning in Cebu, Philippines to support partners on the ground who are providing medical care for people affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

The massive air shipment, valued at $5 million, includes enough medicines to treat 250,000 people and was delivered on a charter flight arranged and donated by Direct Relief’s longtime supporter, FedEx. The donations contain antibiotics, I.V. fluids, oral rehydration formula, wound care supplies, pain relievers, surgical instruments, nutritional supplements, hygiene kits, and chronic disease medicines. All of the medical aid was specifically requested by health officials and nongovernmental groups in the Philippines.

These critically needed items will help treat and prevent many of the key health risks observed by Direct Relief’s emergency team on the ground, including: wounds and injuries, waterborne diseases, inadequate hygiene, communicable diseases spread by displacement and overcrowding (such as respiratory infections), malnutrition, and others.

This shipment is the most recent of 12 total emergency deliveries (valued at $9 million) that Direct Relief has sent to the Philippines since Typhoon Haiyan devastated the island nation on Nov. 7, killing more than 5,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands more displaced.

The Consul General of the Philippines as well as several Direct Relief and FedEx employees were on hand Saturday to help with the send-off from Los Angeles International Airport. Upon arrival in Cebu, representatives from FedEx AsiaPacific, the Red Cross, IPI Foundation, local government, the Vice-Chair of Citibank, and Direct Relief’s staff on the ground were present to welcome the supplies to the country.

More donations of emergency medicines and supplies for typhoon survivors are being prepared at Direct Relief’s warehouse as requests from partners continue to come in.